Springtime is coming! That means it's time to read up on your flowers and start envisioning what your garden can look like. Tulips are a beautiful springtime plant that you should consider adding to your garden, especially the unique Exotic Emperor Tulip.
Exotic Emperor Tulips have green stems and leaves that are vibrant green in color, and their flower heads are a soft creamy white with thin strands of vibrant green running through them. Flower heads are double and fluffy, giving them a romantic appearance. The tulip heads even look a bit like peonies due to their size and shape!
For the most dramatic impact, plant at least ten bulbs together in clusters for an en masse planting. Whenever the tulips bloom, they'll pack a nice punch.
Botanical Background for Exotic Emperor Tulips
How to Grow Exotic Emperor Tulips
Follow along with the guide below to learn about this plant's optimal growing conditions and how you can help it perform best.
Where It Grows
Exotic Emperor Tulips grow best outside: whether it be in your garden beds, borders, containers, or raised beds. Planting them en masse or in combination with other flowers will best showcase the flowers and emphasize their beauty.
Size
These tulips grow to a height between 14 and 18 inches, and its flowerhead can spread out to 4 inches. These tulips will continue coming back year after year for your elongated enjoyment!
Optimal Growing Zones and Conditions
Exotic Emperor Tulips are hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones 3 through 8.
Optimal growth requires cold winters and warm, dry summers. Plant these tulips in the fall so that you can enjoy them when springtime rolls around.
Type of Soil
The soil needs to be fertile and rich in nutrients, as well as well-draining. Having well-draining soil ensures that the plant's roots won't be waterlogged and decay.
The best types of soil will be somewhat chalky, loamy, or sandy. The pH level of the soil can be alkaline, neutral, or acidic. These attributes make it a low maintenance plant.
Light, Watering, and Fertilization Requirements
For best results, these tulips need to receive full sun (at least 6 hours a day). They can tolerate a little bit of shade in the hotter planting regions.
It has average water needs, needing only an average amount of moisture. Monitor its water needs and water accordingly.
You can fertilize these plants with an evenly balanced fertilizer. Fertilize the bulbs in the fall and early spring with a specially formulated fertilizer for Tulip bulbs.
Step-by-Step Growing Guide
- Keep bulbs in a cool place until ready to plant
- Pick a location where they'll receive full sun
- Use a well-draining soil mixture that is rich in nutrients
- Plant large tulip bulbs 5-6 inches apart and small tulip bulbs 2-3 inches apart
- After planting, water thoroughly to promote initial root growth
- Enjoy your large, early spring bloomers!
Inspirational Gallery of Exotic Emperor Tulips
To inspire you in your gardening endeavors, we've compiled a photo collection of some gorgeous Exotic Emperor Tulips.
Arrangement Beauties
Tulips are one of the best and favorite flowers as cut stems. They serve as a wonderful centerpiece in your kitchen, whether it be on the countertop or kitchen table. The fresh blooms are a perfect way to spruce up any room, too!
Farm Fresh Bundle
Curb Appeal
Springtime Mix
Tree Companions
Assortment of Tulips
Front Garden Design
Apricot and White Tones
Soft Tones and Textures
Bouquet Dreams
For Further Reading
If you have cut stems and are wondering how to display them, check out these 40+ Stunning Tulip Arrangement Ideas.
Love all things tulips? Look at these 48 Stunning Tulip Fields Photos That Will Inspire You.